Envelop sealing and stamping machine.



h}. SCHERMACK. ENVELOF SEALING AND STAMPING MACHINE.

- Patented; July 20,1915

I I APPLICATION FILED JAN. 14, 1907. lglfig a 9 SHEETS-SHEET 1- .ikm Yaw Z/HVVLSSZE.

.1. J. SCHE RMACK. ENVELGP SEALING AND STAMPING MACHZNE.

APPLICATION FILES JAN.|4.1907. 1,146,902 Paienfied July 20,1915.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

1.1, SCHERMACK.

.ENVELOP smme AND STAMPING MACH/WE. '3 APPLICATION FILED JAN- 14, 19071Llhfififi. Patented July 20, 1915 9 SHEETSSHEET 3.

J. J. SCHE RMACK.

ENVELOPSEALING AND STAMPING MACHINE.

a v APPLICATION FILED IAN. 14, 1907. Q I i l ii ifimfia Patented July20, 1915.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 4'.

ifkr/r/fssza v J'. J. SCHERMACK. ENVELOP SEALING AND STAMPING MACHINEAPPLICATION FILED JAN. 14. 11:07.

Patented July 20, 1915.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 5- [WE/1 70K,

' J. J. SCHERMACK. ENVELOP SEALING AND STAMPING MACHINE.

' APPLICATION FILED JAN. i4. 190].

Patented July 20, .1915.

9 SHEETSSHEET 6- APPLICATION ,FILED lAN,14,1907. I Patented July 20,1915.

9 SHEETSSHEET 74.

Jase 0A, J; e o/wave 1.]. SCHERMACK.

ENVELOP SEALING AND STAMPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 14. L907.

' Patented July 20, 1915.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 8 efoBe QA/J I J. J. SCHEBMACK. ENVELOP SEALING ANDSTAMPING MACHINE.

' APPLICATION FILED JAN. 14, 1907. 1,146,902. Patented July 20, 1915.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

I ...J|v 5-1 1 mm L TL.

UNITED s PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH J. SOHERMACK, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO DETROIT MAILING-IVIACI-IINIE 00., OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

ENVELOP SEALING AND STAMPING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters I atent.

Patented July 20, 1915.

I Application filed January 14, 1907. Serial No. 352,277.

-and State of hflichiga u, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Envelop Sealing and Stamping Machines, of which thefollowing is a specification, reference being had therein to theaccompanying drawings.

The invention relates to'machines for sealing and stamping envelops, andconsists in the novel construction, and cooperative asso ciation of thesealing and stamping mecha nisms as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the machine; Fig; 2 is aside elevation thereof; Fig. 3 is a cross section; Fig. 4 is a bottomplan view; Fig. 5 isa detail plan view of the stamp severing and feedingmechanism; Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation of the same partly insection; Fig. 7 is a similar elevation showing the stamp feeding andmoistening rolls broken away in Fig. (5; Fig. 8 is a longitudinalsection substantially in the plane of feed showing a por-.

tion of the mechanism; Fig. 9- is a plan view thereof; Fig. 10 is ahorizontal section through the stamp applying mechanism; Fig. 11 is aplan view of the correcting feed for the stamp strip; Figs. 12 and13 arerespectively front and end elevations thereof; Fig.1 is a sectionthrough the sealing rolls in a plane transverse to the plane of feed;Fig. 1.5 is a perspective view of the envelop actuated trip; Fig. 16 isa side elevation of the stamp feeding mechanism;-

Fig. 17 is a plan view of the presser guide for the stamp strip; Fig.18, is a horizontal section online .1?-a:, F ig. 14; Figs. 19 and 20 arehorizontal sectionsof the trip mechanism controlling the stamp applyingmechanism; Fig. 21 is a detached elevation bf the trip finger; Fig. 22is aside elevation of a portion of the stamp feeding mechanism; Fig. 23is anend elevation thereof; Fig. 2% is a diagrammatic plan view of theflap sealing and starnp applying means; Figs. 25, 26 and 27 ar ewspectively a plan, longitudinal section, and a'bottom plan, of the reelfor holding the stamp strip. Figs. 28, 29 and BOarc respectively ahorizontal section, end elevation and side elevation of a portion of thefeeding rolls showing the tensioning means therefor; Fig. 31 is ahorizontal section through the flap closing guide.

In general construction, the machine coinprises a feeding mechanism forthe envelops, together withfsealing and stamping mechanisms, arrangedupon opposite sides of the plane of feed. In order to simplify the con--struction, and secure greater compactness, the moistened stamps arepressed into contact with the envelops by the same rolls that completethe sealin Furthermore, the stamp feeding, moistening, and cut-offmechanism is dependent for its operation upon the feeding of theenvelop, and during its travel between the flap moistening mechanism andthe sealing rolls.

A further characteristic in the general organization of the machine isthat the envelops are fed uninterruptodly in a straight line, andpreferably in' a Mertical plane be-' tween the points of eng .gement anddelivery. Thus the mechanism may be operated at a higher rate of speedthan where the direction of feed is changed. Still further, the machineis preferably provided with antomatically operating stacking means atthe delivery end, and automatic means for successively feeding theenvelops from a stack at the opposite end, so that the entire operationof the mechanism is automatic.

In detail, 1 is at suitable base, preferably hollow, and having arrangedtherein a gear train 2, through which motion is communicated to theseveral sets of rolls constituting the feed mechanism. These feedingrolls are mounted on vertical spindles arranged upon opposite sides of al ngitudinal vertical plane above the base, aii" are so distributed asto pass the envelops continuously from one end to the other. As shown inFig. 1, five pairs of rolls resgactively 3 3, 4 4, 5 5 6 6, and 7 7 arearranged above the bed, and

carry the envelops successively from the stack holder 8 to the stackreceiving holder'9. These rolls are all continuously driven through themedium of the gear train 2, and are preferably actuated by a hand-crank10 upon the transverse shaft 11, whichis con- 'n'ioisture.

of rolls 3 3 The feeding of more than one envelop at a time is preventedby driving one oi? the rolls of this pair, such as 3, in the reversedirection, as indicated by the arrow, this serving to separate twoenvelops pressed together, and to delay the feeding of one until theother has passed out of engagement with the rolls 3 3.

Sealing me cima'ismr llhe envelops, as they are fed from the stackholder 8, and after passing the first pair of rolls 3 3' come into.engagement with the flap moistener. This comprises a revoluhle disk ,li,which is driven continuously through the medium of the bevel gear wheels15, vertical spindle 16, and gear wheel 17, the latter being driven fromthe gear train 2, through the intermediate gear 17. The disk H isarranged in an inclined plane, the uppermost point in its peripherybeing substantially in the plane of feed, and the lower portion beingimmersed in a water tank 18. The face of the disk is slightly coned, andis preferably ser rated, as by fine tool marks in machining, asindicated at 14-, so as to better holdthe A scraper '19 is arrangedabove the tank in contact with the disk on its upinoving side to removethe superfluous moisture. 20 is a conical roll bearing against the faceof the disk 1 k, and journaled in slotted bearings-in a frame 21. Thisroll serves to press the flap of the envelop in contact with the face ofthe disk 14, whereby the gummed edge is thoroughly moistened. T he roll2T) is preferably formedof a series of thin flanges, or disks 20, whichpresent but slight surface in. contact with the disk 14:,

and thus very little moisture will be picked up by these flanges. fromthe moistened disk when the envelop flap is not therebetween. 22 is aguide arranged above the disk 14, and serving to guide the flaps of theenvclops in contact therewith. One side 22 of this guide is yielding andresilient so as to compensate for different thicknesses of stock. r Thecompletion of the sailing. after the nmistcning oi the flap of the disk14-, is ef fected by the pairs of rolls (3 3 and 7 7. The roll centrallycut away so as to only contact with the marginal portions of the envelopby the portions 24 and 25' thereof, and thus the portion of the llapnearest the hinge or told is first pressed into contact with the body ofthe envelop and wrinkling" is prevented. Finally the rolls 7 7 press theremainder of the i'iap in contact with the body oil the envelop, andthus completes the sealing.

Shim 1 'ecrlin g mechanism. -f'iimultan eous with the operation of thesealing mech anism, the stamp applying mechanism is operated upon theopposite side of the plane of feed. 'This merhanism comprises means bythe gripping jaws and for intermittently feeding a strip of stamps, acut-off for severing one of the stamps from the strip, a moistenertorthe severed stamp, and feeding means for bringingthe moistened face ofthe, stamp in contact with the envelop. It is essential that theoperation of the mechanism should be timed with the feeding of theenvelop, and should be dependent upon the feeding, so as to beinoperative when no envelop is fed. This is accomplished by arranging atrip or trigger 25 in the path of the forward edge of the movingenvelop, as it passes from the moistening disk 14 to the rolls 6 (3.This trip or trigger sets in operation the stampfeedingmecha'nism,,which is of the following construction: The stampsare in the form of a continuous strip reeled upon a holder. This holder,together with the stamp feeding, cutting off, and moistening mechanism,is preferably inclosed in a housing 26, which is suitably mounted abovethe bed, and is 7 preferably provided "with a t 'ansparent top plate 27,through which the operation of the mechanism may be inspected. Thefeeding of the strip is primarily effected by a reciprocating pair ofgripping jaws 2S and 29, which are upon opposite sides of the stampstrip, and during their Forward movement are in clamping contacttherewith, while in their return movement their grip is released. Thesejaws are slid-ably and pivotally mounted upon a guide rod 30, which ismounted upon a frame 31 within the housing 26. 32 is a spring foryieldingly drawing the jaws 28 and 2!) into contact. 33 is a revolublecam, which at one point in its movement engages with an anti-frictionroll 34 on an arm connected with the jaw 2 thereby rocking said arm andjaw, and re-/ leasing the grip upon the stamp strip. 36 is an eccentricrevolving with the cam 33,

'and connected by a rod 37 with the jaws 28 and 29. This eccentricserves to reciprocate the jaws upon the rod 30, and the movement is sotimed in relation to the o iierationof the eamf33 that the a'ws areseparated during their return movement to release the stamp strip. andare permitted to clamp under the tension of the spring 32 during theirforward movemei'it. The stamp strip, dur int. this feeding IHUVOXHOHt.is in engagement with grooved guides 38, secured to the frame 31, andii!) is a spring pressed guide, which holds the strip against a backingplate 40 with sullioient.friction to prevent the displaccnwnt ol thestrip when released 23) when the laws are opened by the cam 33. 40 isthe ring for actuating the guide 39.

The plane oi movement of the reciprocating gripping jaws 29% and 29, andthe stamp guide Z38, is n'eterably at an angle to the plane o'l teed ofthe envelop, and. the directhe feeding plane of the envelop. At the endof the guide 38 is arranged a cut-off for severing a stamp from thestrip when projected beyogid the said guide 38. This cutoff comprises ahinged shear blade 41, and a stationary blade .42 arranged upon oppositesides of the plane of the stamp strip. The blade a1 is provided with anactuating rock arm 43, which is in the path of a revoluble cam 4d, andis actuated thereby to sever the strip. 45? is a spring for retractingthe blade 41 when released by the cam 44.

' The stamp, when projected beyond the guide 38, passes between'taperingguides 45, which direct its forward edge into contact with a pair ofrolls 46 and 17. The roll 47 is the moistener for the gummed surface ofa stamp, and to this end water is fed from a conduit 4:8, and through anozzle 49 into contact with the surface of the upper end of the roll,from which point it travels downward over the entire surface. The roll46 is a. spring pressed roll, being journaled in a yoke 50, againstwhich the spring 51 bears, the tension of said spring being adjusted bya set screw 52. The periphery of the roll 16 is preferably formed of aplurality of thin disks 53, which limit the contacting surface, andprevents it from picking up moisture or gum from the roll 47. Thelocation of the rolls 4:6 and 47 is in proximity to the feed roll 6 ofthe-envelop feeding mechanism.

Adjacent to this roll 6 passing out of engagement with the rolls 46 and47. The face side of the stamp bears against the roll 6 and itsmoistened gumhied side against the roll 54. The latter is thereforeprovided with thin disks, or V- to present as small a surface aspossible in contact with the gum, and to prevent transferring gum fromthese flanges to the roll 6 The latter is provided with grooves o6opposite the flanges This permits of adjusting the roll 54 as close asdesired to the roll 6, and at the same time holding the flanges 55 outof contact therewith. 57 are stripping fingers, which project intogrooves 58 in the moistening roll 47, preventing the moistened stampfrom adheringto said roll, and directing it between the rolls and (3.

All of the parts of the stamp feeding, cutting off andmoisteningmechanisms are timed i'n relation to each other, and when setin operation by the actuation of the trigger 25 through mechanism thatwill be hereinafter described, operates in timed relation to the feedingof the envelop. The timing is such that when a moistened stamp passesbetween the rolls 5% and 6", its forward edge will come in contact withthe advancing envelop, so that both will pass together be tween therolls 6 6 the stamp being thereby is a feed roll 54, be-.,- tween whichrolls the stamp is fed upon affixed to the envelop in the properposition and being rolled into contact. In the further movement, thestamped envelop passes between the roll 7 and 7, which completes thesealing, and also firmly presses the 7 stamp in contact with theenvelop. Thus the stamping and sealing operations are performedsimultaneously, and within the sameo space of travel of the enveloprequired for. either one of the operations.

Correc ing fcecZ.-As it is essential that the severing of the stampstrip should always occur between adjacent stamps, and in line with theperforations, a correcting feed is provided, in addition to the feedingjaws g0 28 and 29. This correcting feed comprises I a series of adjacentpointed pawls 59, which i are pivotally attached at 60 to a lever (31,and are pressed by the individual springs (32 against the stamp stripwhile in engagement 35 with the guide 38. The lever 61 is fulcrumed in aframe 63 normally arranged adjacent to the guide 38, and one end of thelever projects into the path of a member 64: on the reciprocating jaw28, sothat in the return movement of said jaw the lever 61 will beactuated. This will impart move-. ment in the opposite direction to thepawls 59, and the amount of movement is determined by an adjustment ofthemcmber 64, which is preferably a threaded rod engaging the jaw. Byproperly adjusting this member, the pawls 59 may be caused to be inregistration with the perfdrations.

The frame (33 is preferably pivoted at 63 to be thrown back when a stampstrip is to be inserted. v

The mechanism, through which move- 4 ment is imparted to the stampfeeding and cutting off mechanism, when the trigger 25 is operated,comprises a suitable train pf gearing connecting with the envelopfeeding mechanism, and a clutch in said train controlled by said trip ortrigger-25. To economize space, some members of this train are mountedupon the vertical spindle 65, upon which the roll 6 is mounted. Thus theeccentric 36 and the cams 33 and 44 are all secured to a common member(36, which is sleeved upon the spindle ()5 above the roll 6. 126 Thissleeve 66 has also attached to it the gear wheels (37 and .68, fromWhich'the feed rolls 47 and 55 are driven through the medium of thepinions 69 and 7 0 on their respective shafts, said pinions intormeshingwith said gear wheels. The feed roll &6 is also driven through thepinion 69 by intermeshing pinions 71 and 72 respectively on the rolls47. and 46.

Movement is imparted to the sleeve 66 and members attached theretothrough the medium of a pinion 73 meshing with the gear wheel 68, andmounted upon a' vertical shaft 74 extending parallel to the roll 6 andjournaled in hearings on the frame. The lower end of this shaft 74 hassecured thereto a pinion 7 5, meshing with a gear wheel 76 sleeved onthe spindle 65 below the roll 6. Adjacent to this gear wheel 76 is aclutch mechanism comprising adjacent friction disks 7 7 and 7 8, theformer being fixed and the latter loose upon the spindle 65.

79 is a cam, or inclined face, on the hub of the friction-disk 78, and80 is a complementary incline on the hub of the gear wheel 7 6. Thus aslight rotation of one hub in relation to the oth'erwill cause theincline 79 to mount the incline 80, thereby pressing the friction disk78 against the disk 77. The disk 78 is further provided with a pin orfinger 81 projecting into the path of a stoparm 82, having a revolublestar wheel 83 at its free end for engagement with the pin 81. Thisstop-arm normallyholds the disk 78 from rotation, but, when the stop iswithdrawn, there is sufficient friction between the disks 77 and 78 toproduce a slight rotation of the latter, which will cause the mountingof the incline 79 on the incline 80, thereby firmly coupling the gearwheel 76 to thespindle. See Fig. 8. The disks 77 and 78 are heldnorn'ially in. contact with sntlicient pressure to provide this initialfrictional movement by a spring 84 connected with a lug 84:- on saidgear wheel 76. and at its opposite end to a linger 81* on. the member78, its tension acting to draw the incline 79 and 80 toward each other.

The stop arm 82 is controlled by the trip.

ortrigger through the following connections: 85 is a rock shaft to whichthe arm 82 is attached, and 86 an actuating rock arm for said shaft,having its free end connected by a link 87 with the inner end of thetrig ger This trigger is pivotally connected at 88 to a rock arm 87*which. in normal position, projects the end of the trigger outward intothe path. of the envelop when traveling between thefecding rolls, and a.spring 89 yieldingly holds the parts in this position. The rock arm 87is pivoted to a fixed pointat ST" and the free end of this rock arm isprovided with an anti-friction roll 99, which is in the path of aninclined lug 91 depending from the jaw 28, and so arranged. that'whensaid jaw 28 is traveling forward the lug 91 will contact with the roll0, and rock the arm or lever 87 inward to the position shown in dottedlines in F 19. This will move the pivotal reelection e8 in-- ward andalso through the connections 87 and 86 rock the trigger 25, the combinedinward and rocking movement being sullicient to withdraw the-trigger 25clear of the path of the traveling envelop. Thus the actuation 'of thetrigger by the end of the envelop will first draw upon the link 87, rockthe arm 86, and stop arm 82 until the pin 81 is permitted to roll thewheel 83, and pass out of contact therewith, thereby clutching the gearwheel 76 to the spindle (35. This will set into movement the entire geartrain for operating the stamp feeding and severing mechanisms, 'andduring the early movement of the gripping jaws 28and 29 the inclined lug91 will contact with the roll 90, rocking the lev'er 87 and drawinginward the trigger 25. As soon as freed from the end of the envelop, thetrigger will be inovcd rearward by the tension of the spring 89operating thereupon through the medium of the link 8, and at the sametime the stop arm 82 will be returned into the path of the pin 81, so asto disengage the clutch after the completion .of one revolution. Thetrigger is returned before the envelop which actuates it has traveledclear from its path, this being permitted since the lever 87 moves thetrigger inward, but as soon as the'rear end of the envelop passes aspring 92 will again rock the lever 87 outward and'project the trigger.A second actuation of the trigger by the same envelop while infrictional contact therewith is prevented by a latch 93 which isactuated by a spring 94 and which is adapted to engage a shoulder 95 onthe trigger. The shoulder is formed by recessing or cutting away thetrigger at 95 and during movement of the trigger, the latch travels inthe cut away portion, as is'shown in full lines in Fig. 201 The returnof the latch by the spring 9-l. is limited by a stop 95" arranged in thepath of the outer end oi the latch. In the initial position of thelatter the stop holds the engaging shoulder 93 of the latch out of thepath of the shoulder 95 (see full lines in Fig. 19) and upon movearc ina position to abut (see dotted lines' of Fig. 3.0) and will. preventforward roc!r i! n'n'n'ement of the trigger; As soon as the envelop iswiihdrawn. however, and the trigger is projcctcil to it: initiaposiil'in. the lug i)? is moved out of thepatnof the lug 98. 1

As has been stated, unsealed and unstamped envelops are first placed instacks in engagement with the stack holder 8, at the forward end of themachine, and are automatically fed therefrom by the roll 13, andsucceeding pairs of rolls,until finally delivered to the stack receivingholder 9. To per- ,mit of adjusting the machine for various sizesof'envelops, the stack holders 8 and 9 are preferably vertically.adjustable, and are preferably connected to each other through themedium l of a horizont lly extending guide 96, which supports th loweredge of the envelop as it .is being fed. All three parts are supportedupon a frame, which has arms 97 sleeved upon vertical posts 98 risingfrom the base, and adjustably'secured thereto by set screws 99. Byloosening these set screws, the frame may be raised or lowered to anydesired position of adjustment, and then securely fastened in itsposition.

The stackreceiving holder may be of any suitable ,construction, but, asshown, comprises an angle plate 100, adjacent to the plane of feed, anda plate 101 at an angle to the'plane of feed, and slidingly secured tolaterally extendingrods 102. The envelops, as they pass out ofengagement with the rolls 7 7 are fed between the plates 100 and 101,and as they accumulate, the plate 101 is moved outward. This movement iseffected by a rotating member 103, which is gprovided with curved armssuccessively bearing againstthe innermost envelop in the stack, andpressing .outward thereupon, so

as to provide room for a succeeding envelop.

To adjust the machine for operation, the guide 96 and stack holderattached thereto are first vertically adjusted, so that the upper edgeof the envelop of the size to be used is in line with the upper end ofthe flap moistening disk 14. Water is placed in a tank 18, in which thedish 14 is immersed, and also in an elevated tank 104, from which it isfed through the conduit 48 to the stamp moistening roll 47 and from saidroll through a conduit 45 to the tank 18. A rolled stamp strip is thenplaced upon the reel 105, within the housing 27, and the end of thestrip is passed into engagement with a will set into operation all ofthe envelop feeding rolls, the first roll 13 feeding the end envelop ofthe stack into engagement with the pair of rolls 3 3, and the roll 3serving to hold back one of the envelops, where two are fedsimultaneously. As the envelop is advanced, it passes into engagementwith the guide 22, which turns the flap over the inclined inoisteningdisk 14. As

gummed edge, and in the further movement the guide will press down theflap, so as to permit it to pass between the pair of rolls 6 6; Betweenthe points of engagement with the moistening disk 14 and the rolls 6 6the forward edge of the envelop contacts with the trigger 25, trippingit, as has already been described and setting in motion the train ofgearing comprising a gear wheel 76, pinion 75, shaft 74, pinion 73, andgear wheel 08, which revolves the sleeve 06, gear wheel 67,eccentric'30, and cams 44 and 33. The rotation of the eccentric movesthe gripping jaws 28 and 29 forward, advancing the stamp strip to aposition where one stamp is projected beyond the severing blades, and ina position for engagement between the rolls 46 and 47. The cam 44 thenrocks the blade 41, so as to sever the strip, after which the jaws 28and 29 move rearward, while the strip is held stationary by the springpressed guide 39. At the same time, the severed stamp is fedbetween therolls 46 and 47, and has its gummed face thoroughly moistened by contactwith the wet surface of the roll 47. The stripper 57 then disengages itfrom the surface of this roll, and directs itbetween the rolls 54 and 6,from which it is delivered to the envelop, and is rolled intocontacttherewith as it is fed between the rolls 6 6 and from thencebetween the rolls 7 7, which 'completes the sealing and stamping anddelivers it to the stack holder 9. All of these movements occur in rapidsuccession, and as there is no reversal or change in direction of.feedE1 the machine may be operated at high spee To facilitate the propervertical adjustment 9f the guide 96, a gage 106 is arranged ata'convenient point, as on the stack holder 100, and which is on thelevel with the upper end of the flap moisteningdisk 14. Thus by placingan envelop on the guide 96 and adjusting the latter vertically until theenvelop assumes the desired relation, to the gage 106 the guide 96 willproperly position the envelops for the moistening disk 14. This guide ispreferably in the form of an eccentric which, when. not in use, may beturned back out of the path of the envelop.

hat I claim as my invention is:

1. The combination with means for successively feeding envelops in aplane, flapmoistening and closing means on one side of the plane offeed, stamp-feeding, severing, moistening and depositing mechanisms onthe opposite side of the plane of feed, a common means for sealing theflap and stamp, and means whereby the operation of the stamp-applyingmechanism is effected by the feeding of the envelop.

2. The combination with flap-moistening mechanism, of a pair of rollsbetween which the envelop is passed to seal the flap, stampmoisteningmechanism, and means for clelivering the moistened stamp to the envelopas it passes between said sealing rolls.

, 3. The combination with flap-moistening means, of a pair of rollsbetween which the envelop is fed to seal the flap, stamp-feeding,severing, and moistening mechanisms, and means for delivering thesevered and moistened stamp to the envelop as it passes between thesealing rolls.

4. The combination with fiap-moistening means, of a pair of rolls forsealing the flap, normally inoperative stamp-feeding, severing andmoistening mechanisms, and a trip for causing the operation of saidmechanisms actuated by the forward end of the envelop, whereby themoistened stamp is attached to said envelop as it passesbetween saidsealing rolls.

5. The combination with means for feeding the envelop, of flapmoistening and stamp' applying mechanisms arranged upon opposite sidesof the plane of feed, a pair of rolls for simultaneously sealing theflap and applyingthe stamp to the envelop,

mechanism for operating said rolls, the feeding means and the flapmoistening means, continuously, and means operated by the forward end ofthe advancing envelop for timing the operation of the stamp applyingmechanism whereby a stamp is delivered to be sealed on to the saidenvelop. i

6. The combination with aconstantly revolving sealing roll, and meansfor feeding envelops successively thereto, of rotative means controlledand timed by the advancing envelop for delivering a stamp to saidsealing roll so as to be rolled thereby into contact with the envelop.

7. The combination with a. constantly revolving sealing roll, of anintermittently operated stamp delivering mechanism, one

of the rolls of said stamp delivering mech anism being arranged adjacentand cobpen .ating with said sealing rollito deliver a erated sealingroll, of stamp applying meclranism, actuating mechanism for said stampapplying mechanism, a normally inoperative drive train connecting saidsealing roll. and said mechanism, and a clutch for coupling said train.

9. The combination with stamp and flap moistening means, of a commonmeans for initially pressing said stamp and flap into engagement withthe envelop, and a common means for completing the sealing of said stampand envelop.

10. In an envelop sealing and stamping machine, the combination withflap moistening mechanism, of a continuously revolving sealing roll,means for intermittently delivering stamps to said sealing roll, meansfor feeding an envelop to the latter, and means operated by theadvancing envelop for controlling and timing said stamp deliverymechanism. I

11. The combination with flap-moistening mechanism, of means for sealingthe flap, stamp moistening mechanism, and means for delivering themoistened stamp to the envelop as it passes into engagement. with theflap-sealing means whe'iyeby the latter aiiixes the stamp to theenvelop.

12. In an envelop sealing and stamping machine, the combination ofoppositelyarranged stamp-applying and flap-sealing mechanisms includingvertical rolls, of means operated by the envelop passing through themachine for effecting the cooperative action of said mechanisms.

In. testimony whereof I ailix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

\Vitnesses:

AMELIA VVILL'iAMs, JAMES P. BERRY.

